Even as an FCD fan, it would be sweet to have one of those guys playing in the league - especially where I'd be close enough to see them a few times (not to mention the times they'd play in Dallas). Doubt Houston would splash the cash though.

Personally I have no problem with a single-entity league paying for a transfer fee so long as the club pays 100% of the salary, but I know this point being tweeted out by Wahl would generate a good debate/discussion.

I mean I get it, it just feels weird that there's this account that all teams pay into that goes to buying players for a few teams. The LA's and the Toronto's and the Seattle's probably pay a larger percentage into it than others but it seems weird that we're paying $500k-$1m for a rival's new best player. It seems like you'd either have no acquisition funds and let everyone stand on their own, or use it to support the less financially successful teams.

I don't think anyone is stopping you from spending money except your owners*, and, theoretically, the Crew would have equal access to the funds if they bought a player qualified to use them. *and MLS if your FO is full of idiots

I'd assume it's because the rich teams can cover the salary necessary for the player to choose to come back. And in that situation, the league is willing to put up the cash to make sure MLS wins the bid.

Meanwhile, not a peep from the MLS regarding another club losing the Golden Boot winner for pennies (though a portion of those pennies will go back to the MLS - I hope the money is spent wisely on helping bring someone else into the right market.)

But of course it's all in the interest of growing the game to subsidize Seattle and Toronto and New York and LA.

Haha I love how any team that gets a transfer subsidy by the league is now automatically considered the evil superpowers of the league.... even when they have been historically awful. And you forgot about Portland.

Over time this club favoritism argument is getting more absurd. After Beckham and Henry it was " the MLS plays favorites with LA and NY", and then after Dempsey it was "LA, NY, and Seattle", and now we're adding Toronto to the list.